2026 IPAA WA Young Professionals Conference

Leon was appointed Director General of the Department of Housing and Works on 1 July 2025, leading the agency responsible for building, maintaining and managing Western Australia’s social and affordable housing and the construction and maintenance of key non‑residential government infrastructure including public schools, hospitals and police stations.

The department also provides essential support services to other government agencies, including government worker housing in regional areas, procurement support, office accommodation and fleet vehicle management.

Leon has more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in the Western Australian public sector, with executive roles spanning housing, health, tourism and agriculture portfolios.

Prior to his current appointment, Leon served as Deputy Director General, Housing and Homelessness, at the Department of Communities, where he led the strategic policy, planning and delivery of land, housing and built‑form construction, as well as the refurbishment, asset management and maintenance of more than 50,000 homes across the State.

Leon’s earlier roles include Deputy Director General and Executive Director positions in WA Health, including the State Health Incident Coordination Centre during the COVID‑19 pandemic, and leadership roles during the commissioning and opening of the Fiona Stanley Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital.

Before joining the Western Australian public sector in 2010, Leon spent more than a decade as a commissioned officer in the Australian Defence Force. He held a range of Army leadership roles, including service in the Iraq War in 2005.

Matt is a partner within Deloitte’s Perth practice. On returning to WA in 2011 he launched the Deloitte Access Economics business and has held a range of senior leadership roles in Deloitte across public sector, energy and infrastructure.

He is currently the lead client service partner for Deloitte’s work with WA Government and leads Deloitte’s consulting business in Western Australia. Matt’s work is primarily focussed on WA’s energy and industrial transition – an area he is particularly passionate about.

Trevor is a Nyungar man born to Nyungar parents. He is recognised and accepted as such by his Aboriginal community. His family ties originate from the Wheatbelt and South West regions of Western Australia.

He has connections with the Whadjuk, Ballardong, Yued and Wardandi clans of Western Australia.  He is a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His professional career spans 26 years, with experience working in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, self-employment and the State Government Department of Sport and Recreation. He is a qualified painter and decorator by trade.

Morgan Marsh has been the Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority since September 2024 responsible for the care and management of Kings Park and Botanic Gardens and Bold Park. She has over 20 years’ experience within the Western Australia public sector with roles in the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, Disability Services Commission, Commerce, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (and its predecessors) and the Ombudsman WA.

Morgan has undertaken pivotal roles in leadership, innovation, governance, strategy, corporate services, and change management. She has a passion for the pursuit of continuous improvement and facilitating change through collaboration, effective communication, and building a vision for the future.

Candy Choo has been the CEO of Leadership WA since October 2025 and Chair of the Patrica Giles Centre for Non-Violence. An organisational psychologist and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has spent her career across the not-for-profit, government and private sectors, helping organisations navigate change and strengthen their culture.

With over 15 years of experience as a board chair and executive, Candy brings a practical, hands-on approach to leadership and governance. She s motivated by purpose, working with great people, and making a positive impact on the community.

Chad Martino has served as the Executive Director, Transformation and Strategy at Health Support Service (HSS) since July 2024. Accountable for delivering HSS’ transformation and strategy program, Chad leads a multi- disciplinary team across the areas of transformation, strategy, change management, and assurance.

Having worked within the WA Health sector for 16 years, Chad brings demonstrated experience and capability in corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, issues and crisis management, policy implementation and communications.

Prior to his current role, Chad spent 6 years as the Executive Director, Office of the Director General at the Department of Health, where he led government relations and engagement across WA Health and oversaw the communications and integrity functions of the Department.

Chad is a collaborative leader who believes that authenticity in leadership is critical to fostering a strong workplace culture.

Claire Warwick is a project manager with the New Women and Babies Hospital Project whose career is grounded in a deep commitment to people, purpose, and positive change.

Having ‘grown up in WA Health,’ Claire has spent over a decade of her career working as an Emergency Department nurse,  an experience that shaped her values of calm under pressure, compassion, teamwork, and unwavering advocacy for patients and staff.

Her passion for improvement led her through a series of lateral moves spanning aeromedical retrieval, clinical governance, hospital operations, and management consulting. Across each role, Claire has become known for her inclusive leadership, her ability to bring clarity to complexity, and her belief that empowering teams is the foundation of successful transformation.

Today, she brings this breadth of experience to the planning and delivery of WA’s new Women and Babies Hospital. Claire’s journey reflects a motivation to serve, a curiosity for challenge, and a belief that diverse pathways make stronger leaders.

Jonas Petersen is the Chief Digital Officer within the Office of Digital Government, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet of Western Australia (WA). The Office leads, supports and coordinates the digital transformation of the WA public sector and helps agencies change the way they work, and reorient their services and processes around the needs of people and businesses rather than the structures of government.

Jonas commenced the role in January 2020 after arriving from Denmark, one of the world’s leading countries in digital health and digital service delivery.  Now based in Perth, he oversees the Western Australian Government’s Digital Strategy, administration of the more than AUD 1 billion Digital Capability Fund, efforts to address the digital divide, and the State’s participation in Australian Data and Digital Ministers meetings.

Appointed on 17 March 2025, Judith Stewart serves as the Executive Director of Child and Adolescent Community Health (CACH). She is a seasoned healthcare leader with over two decades of experience in strategy, planning, service delivery, and reform across Australia and the UK National Health Service.

Judith has held several executive roles within WA Health over the past five years, including Executive Director, Program Delivery at Health Support Services, where she led the implementation of the WA Health Electronic Medical Record. Prior to this, she was Executive Director, Strategy, Policy and Planning at the Department of Health, overseeing critical whole-of-health initiatives.

Judith brings a values-driven approach and a strong focus on partnership and large-scale program delivery, underpinned by collaborative leadership and a commitment to improving health outcomes.

Malika McLeod is a public sector HR professional and nationally accredited workplace mediator who has built a career on embracing change with intent. She began as a teacher before moving into youth development projects with organisations such as UNFPA, the British Council and Peace Corps.

As an adult learner, she pivoted into HR and has since worked across diversity, consulting and business partnering roles in the WA public sector. She is driven by employee relations, trauma‑informed practice and creating psychologically safe workplaces, the direction she continues to shape her career toward.

Shamsa Nasr is an award-winning leader and a senior Air Force veteran of Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and the Middle East region. She has held executive roles across Defence, the private and for-purpose sectors including, most recently, as National Lead – Gender Equity Advisory at the consultancy Deloitte.

She is currently the Executive Director, Innovation and Strategy at Anglicare WA. Shamsa is the co-founder of Propel Her Australia – Defence Women’s Leadership Series, the most-read career development resource for defence women, and has sat on several boards that centre on social justice. She is a passionate keynote speaker on gender equity, social reform and leadership.

Simon has over 14 years of experience in risk, quality and governance in both the public and not-for-profit sectors. Simon started his career at the Department of Health WA in the Graduate Development Program before working across health service providers, hospitals and services in policy, risk management and quality assurance. Following a lateral move to the not-for-profit sector, Simon moved to Ruah Community Services in 2021, a leading integrated community service provider in WA walking alongside clients so they can make meaningful change in their lives.

Simon became the Head of Governance leading a dynamic team and the organisation through successful accreditations and embedding best practice to day-to-day business.

Simon is passionate about finding that happy balance between doing what you love, what you are good at and what the world needs.  He is currently the Integration Project Director, leading the change management and integration of Ruah Community Services and 360 Health + Community following their formal merger in 2025.

Stuart is the Assistant Director General People and Culture for the Department of Communities (WA).  He has significant experience in managing and leading culture and organisation change in a variety of departments across the WA Public Sector.  Most recently he led the Public Sector Reform program to transfer the Department of Communities’ housing functions to the new Department of Housing and Works.

Prior to that role Stuart was responsible as the State Welfare Emergency Controller for the provision of emergency relief and support services under the Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA), including the COVID-19 Pandemic and the 2023 Kimberley Floods.

Stuart believes that change leads to new opportunities and experiences and successfully adapting to change is crucial for personal growth and well-being.

Aran’s journey as a professional athlete and elite leader profoundly shapes his approach to leadership and team performance. As a three-time Olympian and former Captain and Co-Captain of the Australian Men’s Hockey Team—the Kookaburras—he has cultivated a deep understanding of teamwork, resilience, and delivering peak results under pressure.

Now a Senior Consultant in Deloitte’s Human Capital practice, Aran combines this authentic sporting insight with proven strategies to deliver impact. Whether through keynotes, workshops, or guiding complex transformations, he connects with people in a genuine way, empowering leaders and fostering collaboration. His pragmatic style is rooted in the belief that teams thrive when they adapt and perform seamlessly together—just as he learned on the hockey field.

His leadership extends beyond the field and Deloitte, serving as a spokesperson and ambassador for Hockey Australia, inspiring others through authenticity and dedication. These experiences fuel his passion for helping organisations build high-performing teams and foster positive, lasting cultures.

Harrison Wells is a Graduate Officer at the Department of Health, currently working within the Institute for Health Leadership. Through the WA Health Graduate Development Program, he has gained experience across system performance, population health, and digital transformation. With a background in Public Health and Business Management, he is passionate about leadership development, organisational change, and fostering collaboration across the public sector. In his role with the IPAA WA Young Professional Committee, Harrison aspires to be at the centre of efforts to break down silos within the WA public sector.

Paula Della Gatta is a Senior Project Officer in the Commercial/Legal team on the New Women’s and Babies Hospital Project at the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure. A 2024 EG Cohen Medallist, she completed her Master of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame Australia and draws on over four years of private sector experience to deliver projects from affordable housing to mass-timber constructed civic centres. Passionate about the intersection of architecture and human behaviour, Paula strongly believes that a great workplace culture and working collaboratively is the key to delivering impactful, fit for purpose infrastructure across Western Australia.

Penelope Deveson is a Project Officer in the Office of Early Childhood at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, currently working on the pilot of expanded kindergarten in WA public schools. Penelope brings a wealth of experience from her previous positions at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Public Sector Commission, equipping her with broad expertise across the public sector. Dedicated to fostering growth and capability, Penelope is passionate about advancing professional development opportunities for young Australians working in government.

Rachel Twiss is a policy and projects professional committed to driving meaningful, evidence-based reforms to improve the wellbeing of all West Australians. At the Mental Health Commission, and previously at the Mental Health Advocacy Service, her experience includes legislative review and reform, the operational implementation of legislation, policy development to guide service commissioning, project management and stakeholder engagement. She is motivated by opportunities to connect people, ideas, evidence and frameworks to translate policy into practical change.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Science and Psychology in Society from the University of Western Australia, where she is also completing a Master of Public Policy specialising in Public Administration and Governance. Rachel has been part of the IPAA WA Young Professionals Committee since 2024 and is currently serving her second term, where she contributes her passion for systems thinking, collaboration, and creativity in championing the next generation of public sector leaders

Vanessa is a Manager in Deloitte’s Business Case and Strategy team in Perth, with extensive experience in the public sector, including roles at Treasury and the Economic Regulation Authority. She has a strong interest in government infrastructure projects, economic policy and social policy. Vanessa is passionate about working with IPAA YP to advance excellence in WA’s public service and supporting young professionals in achieving their career goals by equipping them with the skills needed to deliver impactful public outcomes.

Sharnee is a Director in Deloitte’s Human Capital practice. Known for her creative, out-of-the-box approach, she specialises in Senior Stakeholder engagement, operating model, change management and organisational design – helping leaders and teams across public sector, not for profit, healthcare and utilities navigate complex transformations with agility and adaptability.

Sharnee’s leadership style is grounded in empathy and hands-on talent management experience, equipping her to guide people effectively and with care through change . She is deeply committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces, consistently creating environments that are safe, positive, and nurturing—where teams feel inspired to grow and embrace new opportunities.

Gabby Ochtman is a Media and Communications Officer in the Strategic Communications team at the Mental Health Commission. She has a strong passion for digital storytelling and has most recently been leading the development of new content to create awareness for the Infant, Child and Adolescent Transformation Program.

Gabby is also a committed advocate for young people in the public sector, focused on creating supportive networks and empowering emerging professionals to grow with confidence.